VOA慢速英语2015 美国、菲律宾进行联合军演

AS IT IS 2015-04-22 US, Philippines Open Joint¹ Military Exercises 美国、菲律宾进行联合军演

The United States and the Philippines launched joint military exercises on Monday. The exercises involve a larger than usual number of Philippine and U.S. troops. The training operations come at a time of new expressions of concern about Chinese activities in the South China Sea.

Philippine and American officers gathered at the Philippine military headquarters in Manila. The officers said the joint exercises are larger and “more complex” than in years past. The exercises involve a little more than 5,000 Philippine troops and about 6,500 U.S. troops.

Philippine General Rodolfo Santiago is assistant director of the exercises. He noted² that only 6,000 to 8,000 troops usually took part in other years.

“But if you’ll see that the trend, it is really increasing every year.

U.S. General Christopher Mahoney says the exercises are more complex than in the past. He says they involve bringing land and sea forces together for training on amphibious landings. He says the troops are also taking part in ‘live fire’ drills and receiving training on intelligence gathering³.

This year was supposed to mark the start of a new defense⁴ agreement between the two countries. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement was signed in April of 2014. Under the deal, the U.S. military would have permission to send more troops to the Philippines and position military equipment at some bases there. But the treaty is not being enforced because of questions about its constitutionality. The Philippines high court is considering the issue.                                                                

Philippine National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin noted the delay during a speech at the opening ceremony.

“We shall undertake this exercise as we work towards operationalizing, if permitted by our Supreme⁵ Court, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement...”

A Philippine Armed Forces spokesman told VOA that there were activities the military would have wanted to include in the exercises if not for the court case.

Carl Baker⁶ is with the Pacific Forum⁷ of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He says even without the agreement in force, both countries are still able to work together.

“The real shift, and probably why they’re bringing in more troops, is the United States and the Philippines have both said it’s important to demonstrate that the Philippines is shifting its focus from internal to external defense.”

The agreement reinforces President Barack Obama’s effort to ‘rebalance’ toward Asia. Military officials from both countries say the exercises do not target any one country. But Carl Baker calls the increased troops levels a “low-key response, without being overly provocative” to Chinese aggression⁸ in the South China Sea.

China has become more active in the disputed waters in recent years. The Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also have made territorial⁹ claims in the area.

Most recently, China has taken steps to control seven disputed coral reefs in the Spratley Islands. The Philippines also claims the reefs.

Hours before the opening of the exercises, Philippine Armed Forces Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang released photographs of the area. He said were taken April 11th.

“This will really greatly affect the movement of our fishermen, the movement of our Coast Guard and, of course, the movement of our navy.”

The main concerns for the Philippines are the two reefs where runways are taking shape.

The Chinese government has said its efforts to reclaim¹⁰ territory are not targeted at any one country. China also says it has rights to build on its sovereign territory. China says the development is for civilian¹¹ needs and what it calls “the need for necessary military defense.”

Words in this Story

joint – adj. shared by two or more

troop – n. a number of soldiers in a large controlled group

concern – n. interest, worry

headquarters – n. the center from which orders are given; the main offices of a business or organization

complex – adj. of or having many parts that are difficult to understand; not simple

1 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

5 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

6 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。

7 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

8 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

9 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

10 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。

11 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。